ECOWAS AND SUB-REGIONAL SECURITY IN WEST AFRICA: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES (2014–2023)
Keywords:
Sub-Regional Security, Good Governance, Economic Integration, Terrorism, Political StabilityAbstract
The paper assessed the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in sub-regional security in West Africa with a focus on the prospects and challenges faced by the sub regional body from 2014 to 2023. ECOWAS was established in 1975 to promote economic integration in West Africa. It has however evolved into an institution that plays a pivotal role in addressing security issues in West Africa, particularly in response to escalating conflicts, coups, and terrorism. This paper adopted the regional security complex theory to explain the nature of the interactions between the variables that make up the study. Qualitative methods were adopted for this study based on the use of secondary of data. The study relied on relevant publications like books, journals, magazines, internet sources and e-learning facilities for information. The major findings of this study revealed that ECOWAS has played a significant role in mediating conflict and facilitating peace negotiations by conducting and coordinating several peace support operations in the West African sub region in places like Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Chad, Nigeria and Burkina Fasso. The study recommended that ECOWAS should promote policies that support political stability and good governance within the member states.References
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